State of Despair

Research shows access to firearms increases suicide risk. But that doesn’t mean owning guns causes suicide. Instead, it means people having access to guns in their most vulnerable moments can prove fatal.

Betting leads some problem gamblers to other risk factors for suicide, like financial and relationship problems. At least 20 percent have considered ending their lives at some point, the National Council on Problem Gambling says.

For years Nevada had the highest suicide rate in the nation before it began to fall in the rankings. The Silver State isn’t getting an upper hand on the problem; the rest of the U.S. has been catching up.